The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, has commissioned an upgraded digital e-library at Federal Government College (FGC), Kano, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to the proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) land swap initiative aimed at improving infrastructure in Unity Colleges.

Speaking during an inspection tour of key education projects in Kano State, Dr. Alausa said the Federal Government would not reverse the land swap policy, stressing that it is designed to unlock resources for the construction of better classrooms, hostels and other critical facilities that will enhance teaching and learning.

He explained that every policy of the Ministry is guided by the interest of Nigerian children and pledged continued engagement with old students and other stakeholders willing to support the development of Federal Government Colleges through strategic partnerships.

The Minister, who was accompanied by the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmad, as well as senior officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, UBEC, NERDC and the Kano State Government, also inspected the Bilingual School in Ungogo, the JICA-supported Junior Secondary School in Lenge, Tofa Local Government Area, the National Commission for Mass Education (NMEC) office and Tarda Smart School.

At the Bilingual School in Ungogo, Dr. Alausa disclosed that the project is about 90 per cent completed and is expected to be delivered on or before August 31, 2026. He directed that recruitment of teachers and other preparations begin immediately to enable the school admit its first students in September.

He revealed that a third bilingual school would commence academic activities in the 2026 academic session, while a fourth is expected to become operational by June 2027.

According to the Minister, the bilingual school initiative is one of the Federal Government’s key strategies for addressing Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis by integrating Almajiri and other vulnerable children into formal education.

Dr. Alausa also disclosed that more than one million out-of-school children have returned to classrooms over the past 24 months under the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative, adding that the government’s focus is not only on enrolment but also on ensuring quality learning and retention.

At the JICA-supported Junior Secondary School in Lenge, the Minister inspected ongoing construction of classrooms, perimeter fencing and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities. He announced that the existing school buildings would be converted into a primary school after the junior secondary school relocates to the new structures, with the Federal Government providing furniture and additional renovation.

While commissioning the renovated digital e-library at Federal Government College, Kano, Dr. Alausa described the facility as a major milestone in the government’s efforts to equip students with digital literacy skills required for the 21st-century economy.

The solar-powered facility features air conditioning, modern lighting and nearly 80 digital computer workstations.

The Minister noted that the current administration inherited 36 abandoned e-library projects across Unity Colleges, revealing that 16 have now been fully rehabilitated through the intervention of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

He also commended students of FGC Kano for their confidence and academic excellence, describing them as a reflection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for human capital development.

During the visit, Dr. Alausa interacted with a student who developed an Artificial Intelligence-powered school application designed to improve teaching, learning, attendance monitoring and communication between schools and parents. He directed UBEC’s Director of Digital Platforms and Analytics to work with the student to explore opportunities for further development of the innovation.

Earlier, the Kano State Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna, commended the Federal Government for its sustained interventions in the state’s education sector. He said the partnership between the Federal and Kano State Governments has significantly improved access to education, infrastructure and learning outcomes.

Haruna added that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s declaration of a state of emergency in education and increased budgetary allocations align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and would further strengthen education delivery across Kano State.

Dr. Alausa reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Education’s commitment to expanding access to quality education, strengthening digital learning, modernising school infrastructure and implementing practical reforms that will provide better opportunities for every Nigerian child.